Exodus 14

Exodus 14:15-20

Here is, 1. The extreme distress and danger that Israel was in at the Red-fea. (1.) Native is given of it to Moses, ver. 1-4. (2.) The cause of it, ver. 5-9. (3.) Israel’s confirmation, ver. 10, 11, 12. (4.) Moses endeavours to encourage them, ver. 13, 14. 2. Their wonderful deliverance. 1. Moses is instructed conversing it, ver. 15-18. 2. Lords that could not be forced, are set between the camp of Israel and Pharaoh’s camp, ver. 19, 20. 3. By the divine power the Red-fea is divided, ver. 21. The Israelites pass before, ver. 22-29. The Egyptians are drowned, ver. 23-28. Lastly, The impression this made upon the Israelites, ver. 30, 31.

a Chap. xiii. 18. b Numb. xxviii. 7. c Jer. xliii. d Chap. ix. 11.

1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2. Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between: Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. 3. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are intangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. 4. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them, and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his holy, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

2. 1-4. They were now got well out of Pharaoh’s reach, but God hath farther designs for his own glory in his overthrow. He informs Moses of his purpose, and they admit to the right, to that part hemmed in by the sea and the wilderness, that the difficulties of their situation might induce Pharaoh to follow

them. God hath wife designs, even in the straits to which he reduces his people, that in their deliverance he may make his power, grace, and love more evidently appear.

5. ¶ And it was told the king of Egypt, that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? 6. And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him. 7. And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. 8. And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. 9. But the Egyptians pursued after them, (all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army) and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon.

6. 5-9. Now the Egyptians begin to recover from their fright, arcade their own folly in parting with their flares, and call their march a flight, though themselves had thrust them out: so easily can misrepresentations be made. Hereupon they determine, horse and chariots, to pursue, and bring them back to the house of their pe398: encouraged by the dangerous encampment they had made, where they quickly found them, and promised themselves an easy prey. Note (1.) They who are only frightened by God’s word, will quickly be farve for the little good they did, and he ashamed even of their pretended repentance. (2.) He that will escape out of a sinful world, must expect a hot pursuit from the devil and his servants. (3.) He that brings us out with a high hand, can bear us up with everlasting strength.

7. ¶ And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lift up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them, and they were fore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. 11. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hath thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hath thou dealt this with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12. Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. 13. ¶ And Moses said unto the people, ¶ Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: + for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

8. 10-14. How soon are the songs of liberty turned into the forrows of death. Observe,

9. The terrible dismay which seizes the Israelites. Surrounded with insurmountable obstacles, and no door open for escape, except the Lord interpose. Blasted he God, though troubled on every side, we can still say, Say-Saw oroke, Look up and hope. Some did so, and they cried unto the Lord. But it is to be feared, it was the cry of an也是 and despair, rather than of faith; for they fell hard on Moses with reproaches, and seem to give themselves up for loft. Could not he who had done wonders in Egypt, do as great in the wilderness? and had he shewn them so much grace, to forsake them now? but they are as desponding of God, as ungrateful to Moses; and by their murmuring provoke the judgment they otherwise need not fear. They were now delivered, but their continued pervertences, after ten provocations, brought on them at last, as on the Egyptians, after ten plagues, the same destruction. Unbelief, if uncured, must be fatal at last.

10. Moses encourages them against their fears; he does not reproach their cowardice, but pits their weakness. Sharp rebukes will not suit all sins; we must direct our advice to the circumstance of the patient. They have but one business; to rest upon God; he who hath brought them into danger, will bring them out of it. Note, (1.) Sedatenees in danger, is the most likely means to extricate ourselves from it. (2.) To encourage our heart in God, is the way, not only to remove our fears, but to surmount our difficulties.

11. ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. 16. But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the mists of the sea. 17. And I, behold I will harden the hearts

Before Chord 1-4-9. a Chap. p. 11. & 12. cont. 4-9. a See No. 10. 14. 8 Con. 14. 5. hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his hoft, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. 18. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. 19. ¶ And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and flood behind them. 20. And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel, and it was a cloud and darkness in them, but it gave light by night as they so that the one came not near the other all the night. Moses speaks the language of confidence to the people, and lifts up his heart in prayer to God. Prayer and faith are mutual helpers; faith quickens prayer, and prayer strengthens faith. 1. Children God’s direction to Moses. He had not spoken with his lips, but there is a language of the soul which cries most forcibly in the ears of God, and his answer is, God-vowed Whither, into the sea? No, to the sea, and truth for the rest. Note, However dangerous and dark the way of duty, when we be forward, God will take care of the event. The Sea shall be divided, and that which affords a passage to Israel, shall be the grave of the Egyptians. Thus God will get honour from John; in his mercies on the one, in his judgments on the other. Note, The damnation of the sinner shall as surely redound to the glory of God, as the salvation of his saints.

2. The guard he sets to preserve his people from the Egyptians. The cloud removes between them; a light to guide the

one through the sea, and a barrier to prevent the other from approaching to hurt them. This pillar of the cloud still stands in the same object. To the impenitent sinner, every prospect is covered with darkness: to the child of God, light surrounds his path; and as their present ways are directed, so will be their end. The darkness of sin will lead down to the darkness of eternal death; the light of grace conducts us to eternal life and light in glory. 21. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong eastwind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the city ground: and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left. 23. ¶ And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them, to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24. And it came to pass, that in the morning-watch the LORD looked unto the lofty of the Egyptians, through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the lofty of the Egyptians. 25. And took off their chariot wheels, that they draw them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. 26. ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come as gain upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. 27. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength, when the morning appeared, and the Egyptians fled again’d it: and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28. And the waters returned and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the lofty of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them: there remained not so much as one of them. 29. But the children of Israel walked upon dry-land in the midst of the sea: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 30. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians: and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-thore. 31. And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

Exodus 14:21-31

Now the full measure of Egypt’s sin is come, and her punishment is accordingly. 1. God’s own people are devoted. Moses, as commanded, stretches out his rod; strait the east wind ariseth, the stormy billions part their curling heads, and deep divided foam around above them, and his Israel’s faith falls under his wings, whose winds and waves obey, march fearless through; nor, though amidst the darkness of the night, with such a guide and such a light, need apprehend mistake or danger. Note, God’s people in every age have found him a very present help in trouble, and shall we not remember the days of old, and truth him? Surely we shall never be ashamed when we do so. 2. The presumption of sinners is their ruin. The Egyptians, infatuated with rage, drive furiously between the parted waters, and madly press to overtake those who were born, as it were, on eagles wings: but in their mid-earters, terroris overtake them; one head, from the off-ended God of Israel, strikes every heart with dire dismay: their chariots hang entangled in the lands, their wheels stare from their axles, their way is embarrassed, they can neither fly nor purfice. Too late convinced, they fain would turn, but now the approaching waters walls prevent escape: in vain they cry, in vain they urge the bare deed, or press towards the distant shore; every avenue is closed; advancing flow, the overwhelming waters first kill with fear, then burst impetuous on these devoted heads. Proud Pharaoh and his horsemen now lie low, no more the terror of the mighty, but breathless corpses shutting on the waters. Learn, (1.) To tremble before an offended God: if his wrath be kindled but for a moment, who can abide it? (2.) It is too late for the sinner to cry for mercy, or fly for life, when death unbars the gates of the grave. (3.) They must fall at last, who are found fighting against God. 3. Israel’s triumph over them. Their bodies are cast on shore, despicable now, as once found. Oh what alterations both the cold hand of death make? Now they gratefully acknowledge the hand of God, and believe in his care, and Moses’ mission from him. Who would have thought such a fierce could have been forgotten, or that these should ever again refuse credence to his word? We are ready in our prosperity to say, I shall never be removed, shall never doubt again, but the feasible imperations of present mercies decay, and unbelief, like these mighty waters, returneth to its strength again. Lord, not only remove my unbelief, but preserve the faith thou dost betlow!